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{{Infobox character|
 name           = Optimus Minor
|image          =
|caption        =
|affiliation    = Maximal
|subgroup       = Transmetal II
|rank           = 4.8
|function       = Ground Commando
|partner        =
|motto          = 
|alternatemodes = Transmetal II [[Spider Monkey]]
|series         = ''[[Beast Wars]]''
|gender=Male
}}
'''Optimus Minor''' is a [[fictional character]] from the [[Transformers]] series. He is a heroic Maximal who turns into a monkey.

== Beast Wars ==
The character of Optimus Minor is depicted in two widely different ways, the first is his original toyline depiction and the second version is in comics released by IDW Publishing and Dreamwave Productions some time afterwards.

'''Optimus Minor''' is a [[Maximal (Transformers)|Maximal]] and takes the beast form of a [[monkey]]. In the toyline Optimus Minor is described as a clone, created and altered by [[Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)|Megatron]], although he ended up joining the Maximal ranks. He is described as dangerous and highly aggressive and considered by the Predacons to be ''"no laughing matter."''

=== Animated series ===
Optimus Minor's stasis pod was among those who were launched into orbit around prehistoric Earth in the series pilot.<ref>{{Cite episode |title= Beast Wars Part 1|episodelink=List of Beast Wars episodes |series= Beast Wars|serieslink=Beast Wars |credits=Written by Bob Forward |network= First-run syndication|station= |airdate=September 16, 1996 |season= 1|number= 1}}</ref>

=== IDW Publishing ===
Optimus Minor was featured among the Maximals from the ''Axalon'' in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' series. The time line seems to be set before his Dreamwave appearance, as Dinobot's transmetal II clone had not been created yet. Originally his protoform was recovered by [[Magmatron]]'s [[Predacon (Transformers)|Predacons]] and infected with a Predacon shell program. Unbeknownst to Magmatron, his technical expert [[Razorbeast]] was a Maximal double-agent and had managed to modify the program so a significant number of those infected emerged as Maximals. Optimus Minor was one of those who emerged a Maximal, and joined up with Razorbeast's band. He was sent to [[Ravage (Transformers)|Ravage]]'s downed transwarp cruiser to steal a Transwarp amplifier to communicate with Cybertron, but was ambushed by Drill Bit. He was saved by [[Snarl (Transformers)|Snarl]]. Minor later accompanied Razorbeast to stop Magmatron from heading back to Cybertron with the unconscious Megatron. Using the distraction afforded as [[Grimlock]] and Magmatron battled, Optimus Minor slipped on to Magmatron's time-displacement device and hotwired it. When Razorbeast knocked Magmatron onto it, the equipment sent him back to Cybertron empty handed. After the defeat of Magmatron's Predacons the united group of Maximals awaited rescue from [[Cybertron]].

He appears among the Maximals in the first issue of the sequel story ''Beast Wars: The Ascending''. In ''Beast Wars: The Ascending'' [[Armordillo]], [[B'Boom]], [[Bantor]], [[Buzzclaw]], [[Cybershark]], [[Lazorbeak]], [[Manterror]], Optimus Minor, [[Powerpinch]], [[Ramulus]], [[Razorbeast]], [[Retrax]], [[Scuba (Transformers)|Scuba]], [[Sky Shadow (Transformers)|Sky Shadow]], [[Spittor]], [[Stinkbomb (Transformers)|Stinkbomb]] and [[Terragator]] were wounded in battle and left on Earth. Together they fought and defeated the [[Blendtron]]s [[Drancron]], [[Elephaorpha]] and [[Rartorarta]]. Although Razorbeast survived the battle he was infected with Rartorarta's maddening sting and had to be put down by Optimus Minor to stop him from attacking his allies.

Optimus Minor had a biography printed in the ''Beast Wars Sourcebook'' by [[IDW Publishing]]. <ref name=beast>{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/comics/news/article_1343405.php/Creators_of_Transformers_Beast_Wars_The_Gathering_are_back |title=Beast Wars Sourcebook |accessdate=2010-09-10 |quote= |publisher=Monstersandcritics }}</ref>

=== Dreamwave Productions ===
Optimus Minor would appear in the Dreamwave Productions' Transformers Summer Special. After Megatron's capture, Rattrap remembered the time when he was under attack by Dinobot's clone while testing some digging equipment. His appeals to what was left of his former friend's personality proving ineffectual, he was astonished to be saved by the Maximals [[Bonecrusher (Transformers)|Bonecrusher]], Optimus Minor and [[Wolfang]]. Although Rattrap was happy to discover new Maximals, the three oddly refused to go with him back to Maximal Base. 

=== Toys ===
*'''''Beast Wars'' Basic Optimus Minor''' (1999)
:Optimus Minor was a basic sized transmetal II toy released in 1999. He came with a whip accessory which became his tail in monkey mode.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Dreamwave Productions characters]]
[[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1999]]
[[Category:Fictional clones]]
[[Category:Fictional monkeys]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing characters]]
[[Category:Maximals (Transformers)]]
[[Category:Transmetals]]